Chris Willies of Watton Expendables & Jack Marshall of Wymondham successfully defended their Norfolk County Pairs title at Hingham Sports Centre on Sunday. They defeated Jack and AJ Pye in the final. Finishing in third place were David Lamb & Ryan Fox of Halvergate with Melvyn Barker & Simon Warnes of Wymondham fourth. The event also doubles as the Norfolk qualifier for the ESMBA National Pairs event. A detailed report has now been received from the NCSMBA Competition Secretary and can be found below the photos.
Chris Willies & Jack Marshall County Pairs Champions again
Norfolk County Pairs Runners-up Jack Pye and AJ Pye
NCSMBA Pairs County Championships and National Championships Qualifier
Sunday, 4th January 2026 saw 10 pairs take the centre stage for the NCSMBA County Championships and National Championships Qualifier at Hingham Sports and Social Club. Despite the very cold day a very good day of bowls took place played at high standard.
Two groups of five were drawn on the day with the winners and runners up of each group going through to the knockout stages.
The two groups threw up some very interesting and tightly contested games. Group one had tow of the favourites drawn together. Jack Marshall and Christopher Willies held the upper hand winning all of their games including a close fought victory against AJ and Jack Pye who finished runners up.
Group two proved to be a very close contest all the way through with all pairs in with a chance to qualify for the knockout stages. David Lamb and Ryan Fox won the group with two wins and a draw finishing with a better shots plus than Simon Warnes and Melvyn Barker. Another of the pre-tournament favourites Morgan Warnes and Gary Best bowed out along with Simon Willies and Keith Cooke.
The first semi-final saw Jack Marshall and Christopher Willies brush aside the challenge of Simon Warnes and Melvyn Barker. The other semi final saw a much closer contest with AJ and Jack Pye coming out on top against Ryan Fox and David Lamb.
Third and Fourth play-off saw Ryan Fox and David Lamb easing to a victory against Simon Warnes and Melvyn Barker.
The final was a re-match of their group game and proved to be an extremely good game with some excellent bowls played. Jack Marshall and Christopher Willies triumphed again beating AJ and Jack Pye to win the title for the second successive year.
A big thankyou to John Jefferey (Assistant Competition Secretary) and Will Townsend for all their help during the day. Also, those players who helped put all the equipment away. Your help is very much appreciated.
The next event is on 17th January 2026 at Hingham Sports and Social Club and sees the NCSMBSA Singles County Championships and National Qualifiers with 23 entrants.
Simon Willies
NCSMBA Competitions Secretary